Tennessee County Granted $60M to Improve Flood Protection

Officials say Shelby County, Tennessee, has received a $60 million grant from the federal government for flood protection projects.

County officials announced the disaster resilience grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Jan. 21.

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell says the grant will allow the county to protect neighborhoods from future flood damage and “expand the greenways and recreation areas along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis said in a statement that the funds will help meet recovery needs in Memphis and Shelby County stemming from the historic 2011 flood.

The grant will fund four projects, including one to relocate homeowners near Weaver Park in Memphis.

Officials say the projects are under design and should be completed in three years.

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